4 months - Decorating the Christmas tree

Sam is now 4 months old and he grows stronger and bigger and is more fun every day. Sam now regularly rolls over to one side (from tummy to back) and seems to enjoy tummy time a lot more. He has become pretty good at grabbing things...acuracy over speed of course. And he can sit on his own for a couple of nanoseconds before flopping to one side or the other. He's still getting up 3 times a night and he isn't napping very well either. I've stopped nursing him right before sleep time so at least he goes down better now. But I sense some 'crying it out' in our near future. We'll wait until after the holidays.

Although I post a lot of smiling pics, Sam can be a serious kid. If he's in a new place or there are new people around, it is like pulling teeth to get him to smile, squeal or giggle (in fact, Mommy can hardly get him to giggle either). He even looks people up and down. Kinda funny.

Sam has been busy with a number of playdates and classes. We have been going to Gymboree. Sam really likes the parachute (remember that from kindergarden) and the puppet, Gymbo. I don't think we're going to sign up in the New Year but I suspect there may be a Gymbo under the tree from Mommy. We've also been out to visit many friends. There is a group of us from work - at least 8 of us - all with newborns. We get together regularly. It's nice because I've expanded my professional network, keep up to date on goings on at the office and Sam has a good group of friends. One of my colleagues' daughter was even born on the same day as Sam. I also have a very close friend whose daughter, Sopie, is 2 months older than Sam. We hang out a lot. So it keeps me from being too isolated and is a great reason to get out of the house.

Sam went to the pool for the first time this past week. We have no pics (because cameras aren't allowed) but to my great delight he actually seemed to enjoy himself (he was his serious observant self...no crying or fussing). He liked watching the big kids go down the slide and he grabbed at the odd toy floating by. We hung out in the kiddy hottub for about 20 minutes before he started to get tired then out we came. I'm excited for him to start his swimming lessons in January...He'll be going with Daddy on Sunday mornings and his friend Sophie will also go with her dad while Marie and I grab coffees and chill out. Should be fun.

Sam also goes to visit Daddy at work now and then. We went today, and since Sam's S.I.N. number arrived in the mail last week, we didn't hesitate to put him straight to work.

The other day we put up the Christmas tree. Of course, I put on the lights (I so take after my mother) but the whole time Sam was fussing...until Aaron brought him over to the tree. Turns out he just wanted to help. Or eat the lights. Not sure. Anyway, the tree is up and Sam likes to check it out although he isn't overly excited about any of the gifts under it. Maybe next year - at least I hear he'll be into the wrapping.

Overalls

Sam wears overalls best, because he's sort of a Humpty Dumpty shape and pants are often too tight around his waist.

Sam goes to Toronto

Right after his growth spurt near the end of November, Sam went to Toronto to visit some family and to see his Auntie Liza graduate from McMaster (Masters in Physiotherapy - yay Lizey)

This was Sam's first car ride of any length and he was so well behaved!! He slept the entire way there, although that isn't a big surprise since we left Ottawa around his bed time. He had a great time visiting with his Uncles and Aunties and Cousins (and doggy Divo) in Toronto the first night and the next day.

Then he was off to see his Auntie Liza graduate. Again, he was so well behaved given that he may have found the ceremony a bit boring. He did fall asleep at one point (that's sam in Mamie's arms).

That night we went to stay with his Great Aunt Joann and Great Uncle Monty. He did so well sleeping in a strange place.

And on the mid-day ride back to Ottawa Sam barely made a peep - and when he did he was lulled by the entertaining songs his Mommy, Mamie and Poppa sang to him. Otherwise, he was happy to sleep or chew on the eyeballs of his toy (what else are grabbing skills for???)

Same toys, different angle

At around 3 months Sam also tired of his playmat...well, more like he tired of lying around on his back all the time. He wanted to sit, which was hard on mommy because she had to carry him everywhere...until I decided to start stuffing him in the exersaucer. I also built his high chair and man, what a gem that thing is!!!

Sam prefers his exersaucer over his high chair because it's easier to stand than to sit at this point, I guess. Still, it adds some new activity stations to the rotation. And it gave him the opportunity to start grabbing at some toys. Within the week, Sam went from tentatively pawing at toys to grabbing them and shoving them in his mouth (wish I could get my videos to download). He has also figured out how to make the exersaucer light up and play music. Although i can't imagine he understands that he needs to push the buttons, he gets that thing going everytime, followed immediately by squeals of joy. Again, I have a great video. Here he is in his exersaucer in front of the christmas tree.

Hallowe'en

Sam was a monkey for Hallowe'en. We took him to two friends houses. Sam didn't really like being a monkey.

Moving into his room

Wow...I have been very bad at keeping up with Sam's blog and I apologize to any followers out there. So here are a bunch of posts to get us back up to date. I also can't seem to download any of my camcorder videos. Will post a bunch of videos when I figure it out.

Sam had a very busy 3 month birthday. First, he cried for a week (lots of fun for mom and dad) and then he stopped sleeping through the night - up every 2-3 hours to eat. This growth spurt lasted for about a week but he never returned to sleeping 7-8 hours. He still gets up every 3-4 hours but now daddy goes in for the first wake-up to put him back to bed. Unfortunately, this hasn't discouraged him from getting up around midnight (so far) but we have our fingers crossed.

Part of the reason he didn't sleep very well was likely the fact that around the same time we moved Sam into his crib in his own room (AND stopped swaddling him...what a lot of change for a boy!). He likes his new room, but wasn't sure about it at the start. He particularly didn't like sharing his crib with Gracie (we've got her trained to stay out now...thank goodness). His stuffed toys have also moved out (in accordance with Health Canada regulations of course). He was happy about that because he didn't like to be stared at by all those animals.


Sam now sleeps snug as a bug in his giant sleepsac. Here he is in the morning before daddy goes to work.

Sam turns 2 (months)

Sam is now two months old and he sure is growing up! ;)

He has really begun to notice his surroundings, including his cats and his friend's miniature daschaund, Sacha.

He's still brings good luck to his (and Daddy's) favorite soccer team, Liverpool. They've won every match Sam has watched (and tied or lost the games he hasn't). I swear he watches.

He has also started to take an interest in books, and seems to pay attention (or at least looks at the pictures). His favorite is of course, Green Eggs and Ham.

Sam just loves to chat, with his family and friends and even his favorite toys (he loves the ladybug on his playmat).

He is getting quite strong too. He pushes well with his legs (will he be a talker but not a walker like his mommy was? we'll see). And he has pretty good neck strength. Can't say he loves his tummy time, though.

We've started getting active together - we went hiking in the Gatineau Park with friends and we started Baby Salsa this week.

Sam continues to sleep well at night but in the past week or so I have noticed fewer and fewer daytime naps and increased crankiness, especially in the evenings. This week, Sam returned to his newborn pattern of waking every 3 hours. Something had to be done.

So I started reading "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" and learned that I may be the problem by depriving my child of sleep - I drag him here and there with me and keep him up late (if 8pm is late) to visit with his Dad who works during the day. Last night we put him to bed early, around 7. It was hard to get him down (we fed him three times because he was so hungry) but it paid off because Sam slept TEN HOURS!! I couldn't believe it. I'm not holding my breath that he will do the same tonight but he was much happier today, got a couple of naps in and was easier to put to bed. We'll see.

Guy Smiley

What a difference a few weeks make. Sam has gone from a sleepy, hungry 'neutral-to-displeased' newborn to a baby full of smiles, coos and different cries...which is nice. He can now 'shout' at me when he wants me to do something. Still, I'll take it over crying for sure.

Sam has now done two 8 hour sleeps. Although not two nights in a row, I think it bodes well for sleeping through the night sometime in the near future.

Aaron has been in Dominican Republic for work for the past 4 days, and I've been keeping myself sane by visiting people. We were at 'nana mamie's last night and Sam seemed to really enjoy playing patty-cakes with her. Sam misses his Dad, though, and can't wait for him to return tomorrow.

Finally, we booked our trip to France. Mamie and Poppa are coming for the first two weeks so we'll have a hand on the flight and may even get to go out for dinner in Paris. FAB.

Sam I am

I can't believe it has been over 5 weeks since Sam was born and we are nearing the end of the dreaded 'first 6 weeks'. Apart from a few days here and there, there was nothing horrible about it. Sam is such a good baby. He slept 4 hours at a stretch from the minute go and is now up to 6 hours. He is a great eater, and with help from my lactation consultant the breastfeeding is going fabulously. Sam came home from the hospital at 9 lbs and is now up to 12 lbs 2oz!!! Guess I can put away all the newborn clothes now (heck, he's even wearing some 3-6 month things).

Sam also rarely fusses - he eats, sleeps and increasingly spends time observing his surroundings. I'll admit, that when he DOES fuss it stresses me out...always trying to figure out how to sooth him but I guess sometimes he just needs to have his voice heard. Speaking of voice, Sam has gone from simple on/off crying to several different types of cries (sounds like lait, lait, lait when he's hungry...already bilingual!!) and now some other sounds to let me know he wants some attention. He's also started cooing and communicating with us, and every morning we get lots of smiles from him. We're pretty lucky.

Sam has had lots of visitors and has been out and about over the past 5 weeks...he went to see the special exhibit at the National Art Gallery when he was just a week old - he seemed to like the Dali best - and just last week he went to a bar/restaurant to wish his friend Karim a safe trip. Incredibly, it seems that I did not pass down the shopping gene as Sam hates the mall. Takes after his father there. As for looks...well, you can judge for yourself who he looks like.